Introducing Doane University

History of Doane University

For 145 years, Doane University has occupied a distinguished place among the colleges and universities of the Midwest as Nebraska’s oldest private liberal arts and sciences school.

The history of Doane dates from 1857, when the General Association of Congregational Churches, in its first annual meeting in Fremont, Nebraska, resolved to lay the foundation of a literary institution of a high order in Nebraska. Fourteen years later, and after several unsuccessful attempts to establish Congregational schools across the state, an academy was founded in Crete on May 22, 1871.

The efforts of the local Congregational pastor and Thomas Doane, chief civil engineer for the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, were instrumental in advancing the idea of the academy.

On July 11, 1872, Doane College was founded and preempted the Crete Academy. The college was officially incorporated at that time as a nonprofit institution governed by an independent, self-perpetuating board of trustees. It has received continuous accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, now named the Higher Learning Commission, since 1913.

In 2016, Doane College became Doane University, reflecting its structure of multiple campuses (Crete, Grand Island, Lincoln and Omaha), colleges (College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and College of Professional Studies) and the addition of online programs. The university is authorized to conduct all affairs considered essential to the liberal arts enterprise wherever it is carried on, including teaching, research, academic study and granting degrees.

Doane is historically affiliated with what is now called the United Church of Christ. Doane serves as the representative institution for the Nebraska, Rocky Mountain, Kansas-Oklahoma and South Dakota conferences of the UCC. Doane, although founded by Protestants, is open to students of all religions, as well as those who profess no formal religion.

Doane University Presidents

Doane University has been led by a succession of enlightened presidents. Doane’s first president, David Brainerd Perry, served from the official founding of the university in 1872 until 1912. He was followed by:

Mission Statement

The Doane University mission is to provide an exceptional liberal arts education in a creative, inclusive, and collaborative community where faculty and staff work closely with undergraduate and graduate students preparing them for lives rooted in intellectual inquiry, ethical values, and a commitment to engage as leaders and responsible citizens in the world.

Accreditation Statement

Doane University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL, 60602-2504). HLC may be reached at 800.621.7440 or ncahlc.org.

In addition, the College of Education at Doane University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (1140 19th St. N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036).  CAEP can be reached at 202.223.0077 or caepnet.org. This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs.

Doane is also accredited by other standardizing agencies, including the Nebraska Coordinating Commission of Post-Secondary Education (301 Centennial Mall South, P.O. Box 94987, Lincoln, NE, 68509-4987), which can be reached at 402.471.2295.

Documentation of accreditation may be viewed upon request in the Doane University President’s Office.

Assessment Statement

Doane values the participation of undergraduate and graduate students in its institution-wide program to assess student achievement. This program is part of the institution’s responsibility to monitor student outcomes and assure the continuing quality of a Doane degree. Multiple strategies are used to gather information about student achievement throughout the college experience. Information collected as a part of the assessment program is used for assessment purposes only and is not used to evaluate individual performance. The university protects the confidentiality of data collected.

Doane University Memberships

American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Nebraska
Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education
Council of Independent Colleges
Great Plains Athletic Conference
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Nebraska Council for Teacher Education
Nebraska Independent College Foundation